Lamb Meatballs and Sauce

These lamb meatballs include cinnamon and mint for a particularly Mediterranean flavor to an already aromatic and thoroughly delicious dish.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 610 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 ¼ pounds ground lamb
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Step 2

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; oil lightly.

Step 3

Combine bread crumbs and milk in a small bowl. Soak bread crumbs until milk is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

Step 4

Combine bread crumb mixture, lamb, egg, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, rosemary, cumin, salt, oregano, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl.

Step 5

Form lamb mixture into 2-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Cook meatballs in the preheated oven until they are slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Step 7

Combine meatballs, tomato sauce, chicken stock, fresh mint, and red pepper flakes in a large sauce pan over medium heat until meatballs are no longer pink inside, about 45 minutes.